Follow live updates from Baltimore Sun staff throughout Election Day as we bring fast-paced coverage to the 2014 gubernatorial primary.

Have a last-minute voting question ahead of the primary election? We have answers from Maryland State Board of Elections official Nikki Baines Charlson, deputy state administrator. Here are 15 things you should know before heading to the polls. --Erin Cox

baltimoresun.comThe following is a summary of The Sun's endorsements in a variety of contested races for state and local office in the Baltimore area. For more information on the candidates in these and other races, please see The Sun's 2014 primary election Voter Guide .

by Baltimore Sun6/24/2014 11:37:11 AM

Most of today's candidates were scheduled to cast their votes first thing this morning. According to a press release from the Brown-Ulman campaign, Lt. Governor Anthony G. Brown and his wife, Karmen Walker Brown, will cast their ballots in the Democratic Primary election at the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church Polling Location in Largo at 7:30 a.m.Also at 7:30 a.m., County Executive Ken Ulman will participate in a sign wave in Baltimore with Governor Martin O’Malley at the intersection of Interstate-83 and President Street.

John Eddy, 65, of Baltimore, said he was voting for Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown in the gubernatorial primary because he wanted to continue with Gov. Martin O'Malley's approach. (Sun photo by Carrie Wells)

by Baltimore Sun6/24/2014 12:03:14 PM

The Sun's Carrie Wells reports from Hampstead Hill Elementary in Canton:John Eddy, a retired doctor from Baltimore, said he was voting for Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown."I like what O'Malley has done so far and I want to continue with that approach," said Eddy, 65, who cast his ballot in the early morning. He said he especially liked O'Malley's efforts to expand gun control and to help the environment.In Baltimore, Eddy said he felt education was the most important issue, which is why he wanted to reelect state Sen. Bill Ferguson."We live near Patterson Park and sometimes you see kids running wild after school," he said. Eddy thought elected leaders ought to "get the crime rate down through education."

by Baltimore Sun6/24/2014 12:03:25 PM

Spencer Pollock, 28, of Baltimore, said he was voting for Larry Hogan in the gubernatorial primary because he thought taxes are too high. (Sun photo by Carrie Wells)

by Baltimore Sun6/24/2014 12:06:33 PM

Carrie Wells shares another voter's story from Hampstead Hill Elementary in Canton:Spencer Pollock, a 28-year-old lawyer from Baltimore, had a simple reason for voting on Tuesday. "I'm sick of the state's policies. Taxes are too high," he said.Pollock, who voted in the early morning, said he favored Larry Hogan in the gubernatorial primary. "I like that he's a moderate Republican because I'm more of a moderate Republican," he said. "I prefer Hogan's vision over the vision that we've had the last several years."Pollock said he also wanted to reelect Baltimore judge Philip S. Jackson because "I clerked for him and he's a great guy."Pollock also said he would vote for Gregg Bernstein in the Baltimore State's Attorney's race."I think it's been a good progress," he said. "I didn't like [former State's Attorney Pat] Jessamy's vision. I think Bernstein tackles the larger problems."

by Baltimore Sun6/24/2014 12:08:46 PM

One more voter's story from Carrie Wells at Hampstead Hill Elementary in Canton: Jennifer Thien, a 54-year-old IT professional, said she voted for Del. Heather Mizeur."I like that she's very progressive," she said after casting her ballot in the early morning. As for why she wasn't voting for Attorney General Doug Gansler or Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown, she said, "We've had eight years of that."

by Baltimore Sun6/24/2014 12:11:25 PM

Family of man who died in Baltimore police custody files lawsuit. bsun.md/1lLw1Y4

Gov. Martin O'Malley, right, campaigns with Ken Ulman, Democratic lieutenant governor hopeful, left, at President Street and 83. The two could be seen waving to supporters during morning rush hour. (Baltimore Sun photo by Kim Hairston)

The Sun's Carrie Wells, from Tench Tilghman Elementary Middle School in East Baltimore:Emma Diggs, a retired Motor Vehicles Administration worker, said she was voting for Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown."I don't think he'll let me down," she said after casting her ballot this morning. She said she watched one of the gubernatorial debates, which solidified her opinion on Brown."I just had a feeling and I follow my heart," said Diggs, 75. "I listen to people then I make my own decision."

Carl Sanders, 54, of Baltimore, said he's voting for Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown in the gubernatorial primary because he believes he is experienced. (Sun photo by Carrie Wells)

by Baltimore Sun6/24/2014 1:04:07 PM

One more voter's story from Carrie Wells at East Baltimore's Tench Tilghman Elementary Middle School:Carl Sanders, 54, of Baltimore, said he was voting for Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown "based on his experience.""[Del. Heather] Mizeur, I think she'd be a great lieutenant governor," Sanders said after voting in the morning. "I think she has yet to show a pathway, along with [Attorney General Doug] Gansler. Neither has shown a pathway to governor."Sanders, who is looking for work, also said he favored State Sen. Brian Frosh for Attorney General."I think he has a future in politics," Sanders said. "I think the guy's been waiting a long time, I think he deserves the opportunity."

From Baltimore Sun reporter Carrie Wells at Tench Tilghman Elementary Middle School: Francine Wilks, a 60-year-old Social Security Administrationemployee from Baltimore, said she couldn't say who she was voting for becauseof rules covering federal employees, but said the most important issue to herwas repealing the new stormwater fee, which critics have dubbed the "rain tax."

"You're penalizing innocent people with the rain tax," Wilkssaid after voting in the morning at Tench Tilghman Elementary Middle School inEast Baltimore. "You can't control the rain. You, me, and all of us shouldn'tbe paying for God's rain."

by Baltimore Sun6/24/2014 1:53:26 PM

From Baltimore Sun reporter Doug Donovan at Stoneleigh Elementary School: Barbara and George Dersch have been married 55 years. She's a 76-year-old Republican, he's a 77-year-old Democrat. The Towson-area couple arrived at Stoneleigh Elementary School to cast their ballots in separate primaries, but they shared the same political philosophy. "We're basically conservative," George Dersch said.

"I voted for Doug Gansler," George Dersch said. "I think [Lt. Gov. Anthony] Brown is just a rubber stamp of Martin O'Malley. I just don't want to vote for the machine."

He also voted for state Sen. Jim Brochin because the Baltimore County Democrat has proven that he's also not a "rubber stamp" for O'Malley or Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz. The couple said Kamenetz lost their respect when he refused to repay hundreds of Baltimore County police retirees who were overcharged for health insurance.

"That didn't sit well with us," Barbara Dersch said. She voted for Harford CountyExecutive David Craig, she said, "because of his experience."

"Experience counts for a lot."

George said he worries that the Democratic Party in Maryland has become too liberal.

"I registered as a Democrat when I was very young," he said. "But they're getting pretty liberal."

Barbara and GeorgeDersch, a bipartisan couple married for 55years, voted at Stoneleigh Elementary School in Towson. She's a Republican;he's a Democrat. (Sun photo by Doug Donovan)

by Baltimore Sun6/24/2014 1:58:11 PM

Naval officer from Annapolis area recognized for heroism in Navy Yard shooting. bsun.md/1nzhYDh

An Election Day public service announcement from Gov. Martin O'Malley:

It's Election Day! I already voted to elect Anthony Brown to serve as our State's next governorduring the early voting window, and if you have yet to cast your ballot, I thathope you'll add your vote to mine today. With Anthony as my partner in Annapolis, we've created good-paying jobs, drivencrime down to thirty year lows, and done more than any other state to keepcollege affordable for our children. Our public schools were ranked #1 in thecountry for five straight years, and Maryland's workers have the highest medianincome the country.You know the choices we've made, and the results we've achieved together. And I believe there's no one better prepared than Anthony Brown and Ken Ulmanto build on the progress we've made together and lead Maryland into the future.

Anthony also asked for me to remind you that the campaign watch party will beat the Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center at the University of Maryland College Parkat 8:05 P.M. after the polls close - hope to see you there! All the best, Martin O'Malley

by Baltimore Sun6/24/2014 2:04:17 PM

From Baltimore Sun reporter Pamela Wood in Anne Arundel County: In Anne Arundel'shard-fought Republican primary for county executive, candidates Laura Neuman and Steve Schuh planned a full day of trying to win over voters.

Neuman voted at Annapolis Middle School shortly after the polls opened, with her husband Paul Volkman and children, Alex and Avery. Though Neuman is the incumbent county executive, it was the first time she voted for herself. She was appointed to her position by the County Council last year after John R. Leopold resigned.

Asked how she felt about Election Day, Neuman said: "I'm very peaceful. I've worked hard. It's up to the voters."

Neuman posed for a photo with her family and chatted with a few voters before hopping in a car for a day full of stops at voting sites around the county.

Schuh, meanwhile, was camped out at a church in Severna Park, where he was joined by former Gov. Bob Ehrlich and Kendel Ehrlich in shaking hands with voters and handing out sample ballots advertising Schuh's allies in Anne Arundel Republican races.

"Win, lose or draw, we did everything we could do. We will not look back and say, 'Coulda, shoulda, woulda,'" said Schuh, who also had a long schedule of planned visits to voting sites.

Though Ehrlich, who lives in Annapolis, has remained neutral in the Republican gubernatorial primary, he said he was pleased to support Schuh. Ehrlich has recorded TV andradio ads for Schuh and appeared at campaign events. Ehrlich said he's particularly impressed with Schuh's budget acumen.

"He's a budget geek. He's a really great guy. He loves this county," Ehrlich said.

The winner of Anne Arundel's Republican primary for county executive will face George F. Johnson IV, a former county sheriff who is running unopposed in the Democratic primary.